The health ministry has said any discrepancies in death tolls may stem from countries counting pilgrims who had died of natural causes.

Saudi Arabia has come under heavy criticism for its handling of the disaster.

Safety during the pilgrimage is a politically sensitive issue for the kingdom’s ruling Al Saud dynasty, which presents itself as the guardian of Islam and custodian of its holiest sites in Mecca and Medina.

Tragic: The crush happened at an intersection of streets leading to a stone-casting ceremony (Image: Reuters)

The disaster triggered heavy criticism by arch-foe Iran, which lost the most pilgrims in the crush, but also from other Muslim countries which rarely, if ever, voice disapproval of the powerful and wealthy Saudi Arabia.

Anger was stoked by early Saudi comments that appeared to lay the blame on the pilgrims themselves.

In the wake of the crush, Saudi King Salman ordered an investigation into its causes. No date has been set to announce any results. Critics of the Saudi government challenge the independence of the probe.

Asked about Reuter’s death toll, a Saudi health ministry spokesman said a high-level committee was running an investigation.